KARACHI, Jan 16: Justice Sajjad Ali Shah of the Sindh High Court ordered the Karachi Electricity Supply Corporation on Tuesday to pay Rs1.55 million to a teen-aged boy who lost his right arm by coming into contact with a live wire.
The corporation was told to deposit the decretal amount with the nazir of the court within 30 days for investment in some profit-bearing government scheme till he attains the age of majority.
The plaintiff will be at liberty to withdraw the profit for his upkeep and treatment. The corporation will be liable to pay mark-up at the rate of 10 per cent if the payment is delayed.
The accident occurred in June 1997 when plaintiff Ali Raza, then eight years old, was going to Nazimabad via the main road of Nazimabad No 2. He came into contact with an electrically-charged pillar box at the edge of the road.
He got severe burns on his right mid-arm and penile region and was detached by passers-by with the help of wooden planks. Ali was taken to the National Institute of Child Health, where his right mid-arm was amputated and penile contracture was done, rendering him impotent.
The plaintiff’s counsel, Nasir Maqsood, argued that the injuries to the plaintiff were caused due to the gross negligence of the KESC.
The corporation failed to take reasonable care to keep its installation safe. He demanded Rs12.71 million as damages on account of disability other loss suffered by the plaintiff.
The corporation denied the incident and stated that it received no complaint in this regard. Besides, it claimed, the transmission lines and equipment were maintained properly and in accordance with the requisite standard of care.
The court held that the pillar box was not properly maintained and that the corporation was liable to pay the plaintiff damages amounting to Rs1.55 million.
